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June 2012

St. Johns County School Board Chair Beverly Slough was the recipient of the President’s Award at the Florida School Board Association’s (FSBA) conference held in Tampa recently. The President’s Award is the most prestigious award given by FSBA annually to an individual or a group that has made a significant impact on public education.

Slough received this award from FSBA President Lee Swift during the conference for her work in advancing and culminating parent groups and networks including 50th No More and Fund Education Now.

“These parent organizations are instrumental in assisting FSBA to ensure that our voice is heard,” said Lee Swift, FSBA president. “I am truly grateful for Bev and her leadership to ensure that the public is kept in public education.”

Slough represents district one on the school board and was first elected in 2002. She is an active advocate for excellence in education throughout the state. Her passion is focused on a quality education for every child in St. Johns County and she has extended that passion to all children in Florida through her service to FSBA.

Bozard Ford Lincoln and THE PLAYERS Championship were recognized as the 2011-2012 St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) Outstanding Business Partners of the Year at the 25th annual Commissioner’s Business Recognition Awards (CBRA) held on Thursday, June 14 in Tampa. The event was produced by the Florida Department of Education in association with the Florida Education Foundation and highlighted the contributions of honorees chosen from each school district throughout the state.

Bozard Ford Lincoln is dedicated to donating $100,000 to the SJCSD in 2012. Since June 1, $50,021 toward that goal has been raised. One fundraising program they organize is the Ford Motor Company’s Drive One 4 UR School. This program awards money to high schools for setting up vehicle test opportunities. Bozard Ford Lincoln has been partnering with the St. Johns County Education Foundation (SJCEF) to produce both large and small projects and activities which help provide additional support for the district, students and teachers throughout the County.

THE PLAYERS Championship has been committed to education and the youth in St Johns County through their financial support of various schools and programs which includes the sponsorship of the annual Teacher of the Year celebration. As presenting sponsor, THE PLAYERS Championship gives all St. Johns County Teacher of the Year nominees tickets to THE PLAYERS Championship. Along with this, the 2011 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year and her class were invited to the tournament and received a behind-the-scenes tour.

THE PLAYERS Championship donates Christmas gifts to children in the St. Johns County Head Start program. They are also a major supporter of the SJCEF. This support is part of an overall commitment to the SJCSD to generate $50 million for youth-related organizations throughout Northeast Florida over the next 10 years.

CBRA celebrates innovative partnerships between the business community and local school districts for the benefit of students. Businesses were recognized with a reception at the Grand Hyatt Hotel where they were photographed with the Commissioner of Education and received an engraved trophy.

The last scores for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) were received today and St. Johns County students continue to score well above the state average at every level. On the Sunshine State Standards (SSS), which are required skills for graduation, St. Johns County students scored in the top three in reading and math at every grade level among all 67 Florida school districts. Students also ranked first or second in the state in 14 out of 16 grade-level categories.

FCAT Science was given to students in fifth and eighth grades. St. Johns County fifth graders ranked first in the state, and eighth graders ranked second in the state.

The FCAT, which assesses reading, math and science skills, was given in April to students in grades three through 10 throughout the state. Achievement levels range from one to five, with Level 3 being considered proficient. The test is part of a statewide effort to increase student performance and school accountability.

“I am infinitely proud of the efforts of our teachers, students and curriculum staff,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner. “Even with the raised cut scores we continue to elevate our performance as a district. This is a testament to the hard work and ability of students and staff to rise to the challenge of this increased rigor in academic assessments.”

READING 2

Ranking in State

2012 SJCSD % Level 3 & above

State % Level 3 & above

3rd Grade

1st

75

56

4th Grade

1st

79

62

5th Grade

1st

77

61

6th Grade

1st

75

57

7th Grade

1st

75

58

8th Grade

1st

71

55

9th Grade

1st

72

52

10th Grade

1st

70

50

SCIENCE

Grade 5

1st

68

51

Grade 8

2nd

66

46

Math

3rd Grade

3rd

73

58

4th Grade

3rd (T)

74

60

5th Grade

1st (T)

71

57

6th Grade

1st (T)

72

53

7th Grade

2nd

72

56

8th Grade

1st

77

57

T=(Tied with another district)

School grades for elementary and middle schools are expected to be released this summer. High school grades will not be announced until this fall because the high school grading system incorporates data not yet available such as graduation rates and results of advanced academic testing.

St. Johns County students were among the top performers in the state on the Algebra I End-of-Course (EOC) assessments.

Of the 2,454 students tested, 80 percent scored at level three and above compared to 59 percent for the state. St. Johns County’s mean score was 417 compared to the state mean score of 401.

Students taking the test included any student currently enrolled in Algebra I in middle or high schools.

“I am very proud of the hard work by our middle and high school Algebra teachers as well as curriculum staff and students,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Joyner. FCAT scores for fourth through eighth grade reading, math and science (fifth and eighth grades only) are expected next Tuesday, June 5. Further results, charts and information can be found at http://fcat.fldoe.org/.